I had been attacking for decades in order to are now living in my personal country with my Canadian spouse, nevertheless Security from Relationship Work (DOMA) was blocking me personally from my personal straight to pursue contentment in this way. Even with writing emails every single senator each presidential candidate 2 times doing and famous famous people, such as for example Ellen DeGeneres, calling immigration lawyers plus the ACLU, also talking-to anyone who perform tune in, they featured you to definitely my personal fantasy is actually zero closer to getting a truth. That is up until whenever abruptly DOMA decrease, just after becoming stated unconstitutional. Mindy and that i recognized inside the heart with tens and thousands of most other bi-national gay partners in the world only awaiting the straightforward to come home. The one thing was a stack away from files.
The initial step – Processing the latest I-130 Petition
I had so you can fly from your quarters into the Chiang Mai, Thailand down seriously to Bangkok to help you document this new petition in order to recruit femmes ThaГЇlandais frГ©quentation Mindy due to the fact Western Consulate in Chiang Mai cannot handle immigration says. Individually across on Western embassy ‘s the Homeland Protection workplace. Except for paying the $420 processing commission within Western Embassy, the whole petition process taken place on the fifteenth floors of Tower Two of the Sindhorn Strengthening Advanced.
Just after submiting the fresh petition means additionally the help records, paying the submitting fee and you can fixing a blunder I experienced made whenever filling in the proper execution (I became not produced from the 1800’s), I found myself requested easily you’ll remain a tiny extended once the this new “administrator would like to consult with me”. Unsure just what that it designed, We waited patiently that have enough time just before my get back journey so you can Chiang Mai.
Within this ten minutes I found myself summoned towards the windows and questioned to raise my right hand and claim to tell the truth. After staring in the wonder within a massive red “approved” stamp through the mug whenever i confirmed the main points of your function less than oath, I was advised you to definitely my personal petition is accepted. Inside the surprise and you will gratitude that manager had turned what usually requires thirty days on moments, I thanked her getting expediting the method. She checked out myself square about attention and you will told you, “You have got waited for enough time”. I almost cried right there throughout the Homeland Security work environment because this is the very first time one my personal marriage try acknowledged of the my personal regulators and you will my personal battle try verified. I kept work with my acceptance letter at hand and my give held saturated in profits.
Second step – Package step three
Our very own joy reduced no matter if after waiting for a couple months versus reading something. We in the end inquired within Profession Place of work for the Bangkok about our second step simply to discover that they had delivered away a training letter only 1 day after my personal petition got become approved however, i never received they. Damn!
However, at the very least we had been back focused. It absolutely was that step two out-of applying for an excellent green credit would be to complete Packet step 3, which inside it an internet section (Setting DS 260) while the completing from a keen Affidavit (Function I-864) in my situation, demonstrating (and you will swearing) that we you may financially support Mindy. There are loads of help files necessary for this, such income tax facts, proof domicile, evidence of employment an such like. Mindy also requisite a background identify all country she had lived-in because the 16 yrs old. Which designed we expected background checks getting Canada, Germany and you may Thailand and additionally the second one or two will need to get technically interpreted into English.